Originally posted by M6:
The team (49ers) is brutal on the road. They don't seem to have a tight game plan. I have no problem with the philosophy of being able to impose their will with the run. Heck there have been a lot of successful teams (even in the modern era) that have done that. I believe Alex Smith can do enough to win games with his arm and feet if given the chance. They seem to over complicate the simple things and over simplify the complex things.
For starters they need to get the calls in fast. I know this should elementary, but it’s not. The 9ers should be out of the huddle and lined up with 10+ seconds minimum on the play clock, especially on the road. All the good teams do that. Heck watch Manning/Brady/Brees at the line. They are hoppin’ ‘round, pointing, yelling at guys, changing plays, changing them back… they have soooo much time at the line that it’s crazy. This would really help Alex and that was evident in the Monday night game when he seemed to have a ton of time at the line.
They need to work the East/West parts of the field more. I’m not talking about big old sweeps, because they don’t really work in today’s game, but pump & flares to Gore in the flats, more screen plays (not just to Gore but to the H-back [Walker], and more plays where the interior linemen are pulling and getting in space, the HB can push the point of attack and slash up field. These things are in the playbook, but not used enough. Also, I know that you want to keep your young QB in the pocket to teach him to keep looking down field and gain a real pocket presence… but you gotta call the odd play that plays to his strength. Alex Smith can move the pocket and play well when rolling out. Two weeks ago he showed great poise and ability with his feet. Get him in space on a roll out TE option and you can expect to eat up some yards.
The 9ers do not challenge the opposing LBs and Safeties enough. They need to force these players to have to make reads and to change assignments. That’s when you get defensive breakdowns and mismatches. Force LBs to play contain, or if they are man’d up then Safeties have to seal the edge. You do that enough and guys cheat and things open up. Either you get LBs deep on man coverage with no safety help or you get DBs trying to tackle Gore in space… both are favorable. This also takes the pressure off Smith later in the game, and it takes pressure off the between the tackles run game. They are doing a lot of this stuff… but seeming without purpose. Each play sets up another, or creates an opportunity later. How a D reacts to something really tips its cards. Bill Walsh was huge on this stuff. Run a screen play out of a formation and notice the free safety come up early off his assignment… then show the same play, but hit Jerry Rice on a deep post with no safety help…
If the O eats up clock and yards… the D will make plays. I’m not worried about that.
- 98